The Effect of Dairy Products Intake on Dental Caries Across Adolescent Females in Al Thahab Al Abyedh Village Baghdad

Background: Milk is an important part of human diets and consideration has been given for the possibility that the dairy food intake could help in preventing oral health problems. This study aimed to estimate the effect of milk and other dairy products on the dental caries and plaque among the adolescents. Materials and Methods: The study subjects were 405 adolescent females from the secondary school in Al-Thahab Al-Abyedh village aged 13-18 years. The information on the dairy intake was assessed by using a self-administered food frequency questionnaire for the adolescents. To represent the dairy products consumption clearly, it was divided into three levels. The dental caries and plaque were assessed by the visual and tactile examination using the dental mirrors and community periodontal index probes. Results: The mean plaque index value among 13-15 years was found to be higher than 16-18 years females (0.951, 0.940) respectively but with no statistical difference (P>0.05). The means of (DS, MS, FS, DMFS and DMFT) were lower among the younger group. Significant differences were detected among the yogurt consumption levels regarding the mean of plaque index specifically between the low and high levels, whereas no significant differences among all levels of dairy intake and the caries experience. Conclusions: These data suggested that no differences were occurred between the levels of dairy intake and the dental caries. Nevertheless, a high level of yogurt intake might be associated with lower prevalence of the dental plaque among the adolescents.